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Larry Quinn is back in the game. The Troy resident first started playing music locally for several years as lead singer for the band Tree Fox in 1976 and produced area acts for his own label in the early ‘80s. After a lengthy time away from recording, Quinn is back with new tunes and a new record label, to boot.
The label is called Third Son Records, and for the past several years Quinn has used it as a vehicle for his own material with the Larry Quinn Band. He’s found a formula that’s worked and established connections with independent radio stations across the country. Now, Quinn is looking to expand the imprint and utilize his experience and cultivated relationships to help other musicians record, release and promote their songs.
“I feel that because I’m endorsing a band, they (radio stations) will listen,” said Quinn. “It’s important that I use my name and reputation for producing good music to help people that aren’t me.
“What I’ve done with Third Son Records is establish relationships,” he added. “I hope to do with other musicians what I’ve been able to do for myself and my releases.”
The 68-year-old Quinn got back into writing, performing and recording in 2007 after his son Alex gifted him a guitar for Christmas. Prior to that he hadn’t actively played or written a song in over 20 years, his time spent raising four kids, working full-time and attending college.
When he started to play the new guitar, it was the musical equivalent of riding a bicycle. Quinn picked up where he left off a quarter-century before.
“I started strumming and a song just came out,” he marveled. “It just happened naturally and in 2011 I went to Nashville to visit Alex. We recorded some songs together. It was going to be a demo tape for me to get shows at local clubs up here. God, it was great, so great to be making music with my son. He’s a brilliant musician and knowledgeable about recording tactics.
“I liked how good it sounded, so I made a CD,” Quinn continued. “I needed a company name on the label and since I’m the third son the Quinn boys, that’s how Third Son Records started.”
With his creativity surging, Quinn’s next move was from playing songs to getting them played on the radio. He had some experience dealing with radio stations during his time in Tree Fox; Quinn and the band’s manager would hand-deliver LPS to DJS, but it was hard to get them to care about an unsigned band with no connection to a major label or national touring act. But the internet and the ability to stream music has helped Quinn overcome that hurdle.
“I went online and started researching independent radio stations locally and nationally that played independent music. The internet made my ability to find and research radio stations that play independent music much easier,” he said. “I’d
For more info on Larry Quinn and Third Son Records visit www.larryquinnmusic.com
Alisten to what they played and if it was a good fit, I’d call to see if they’d be interested in playing my music. This way you can find out who will play your stuff.
“What I try to do is become friends with the radio stations and the personalities, it’s important you retain good relations with people,” Quinn noted. “I have a CD coming out soon and I already have stations playing songs from it. One is even playing Tree Fox recordings from our last show.”
Quinn and the Larry Quinn Band, which also features his former Tree Fox bandmate Rich Ertelt on guitar, has received local airplay from WEXT and WFNY, but his planning and outreach have helped him get airplay elsewhere. He’s in regular rotation on a station in Ocean Shores, Wash., and his tunes can be heard on FM channels in St. Paul, St. Louis, Memphis, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, to name a handful.
As he looks to bring other artists on board to Third Son, Quinn has one major sticking point: he wants to be producer for the final piece of work. Since he’s using his time and resources to promote and pitch the songs and artists, it’s important for him to have a personal stake in the final product.
“I don’t promote anything I don’t produce,” he emphasized. “If I record with you, I’m giving a full endorsement of your music. I feel that because I’m endorsing a band, the stations will listen.”
So far, a few acts have reached out to Quinn. While one eye is on the growth of Third Son, the other is on his own music. Since his retirement from state and local government (he worked for the state Department of Tax and Finance and served as clerk for both the Rensselaer County Legislature and the city of Troy), Quinn has come full circle. Music is his obsession and profession, and he’s loving it.
“I retired seven years ago. This is what I do now. This is my job,” he enthused. “Oh, it’s been great.”